From the Rolls-Royce experimental archive: a quarter of a million communications from Rolls-Royce, 1906 to 1960's. Documents from the Sir Henry Royce Memorial Foundation (SHRMF).
The performance and testing of different materials for spring interleaving.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 154a\2\ scan0237 | |
| Date | 22th January 1940 | |
| To Ev.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} from Clm.{D. D. Clapham} c. to Bastow. 1305 4 1306 Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/Clm.{D. D. Clapham}2/JH.22.1.40. Report on Interleaving. The first type of interleaving to which we were introduced was wax impregnated cardboard about 1/8" thick, which was American. This was on 8.B.V. when it first went to France, and was worn very badly at the end of 15,000 miles. Its useful life had probably been exceeded by at least 5,000 miles. It was too soft. We next tried some similar material made by Ferodo, using Jackson Board. This was harder and lasted longer but was rather expensive, and the tips were toughened by Bakelite impregnation. As a cheapening measure we then tried Spaldite which is a synthetic resin impregnated cardboard about 1/16" thick. From tests carried out on the Woodhead rig its life appeared to be about four times that of the American material, but our experience on cars does not agree with this as on both 11.B.V. and 30.G.VII it was out in 10,000 miles. Complaints of squeaking under very dry conditions were received with Spaldite but so far no proof can be adduced that this was not due to the interleaving wearing out. We are therefore trying to increase the life of the interleaving in three alternative ways - (a) Lubrication. (b) Gaiters. (c) Improved material. (a) on 11.B.V. when fitting new interleaving recently we packed the groove in the spring leaves with Mobilgrease No.2 (b) we are obtaining some tin and some canvas gaiters for test. Cont'd.{John DeLooze - Company Secretary} | ||